Gig Archive

August 7, 2010 The Manor-Dedham.

2009 some gigs with Maniacal Reason

January 15, 2009 Lucky Dog Music Hall Worcester , Mass
Opening the new year at the Lucky Dog Music Hall (formally Sir Morgans Cove) with our friends the Flock of Assholes, The Vital Might, and Quintana's Revenge, turned out to be what I shall call low expectations and very high results. This stage is hollowed ground, the Stones have played here and countless other bands to say the least. ABCSpike always made a stop there while doing any New England dates and tonight was the first time back in a few years. The temp outside was around 0 degrees and inside when we got there was about 1 degree. That would change extremely rapidly. We opened with "Tree of Woe" by request from one of our long time Worcester fans Billy. We very rarely do "requests" but what the hell, he has come to countless shows and knows our stuff so why not make it happen. After Tree we were off and running. Getting hotter and hotter as the set went on. "No Romeo", "Fourth Floor", "Danny Pearl", "Satellite Farms" and the final "Legend Killer" brought it all home. Seeing the "Dog" packed on a night like this renews all faith that rock is still alive and well and a whole new audience just waiting to hear kick ass music is closer than you think. The Flock always a crowd pleaser pummels with there 80's retro tribute of over the top pop hits from that era. A very tight band and worth catching.

2006 "Tour De Force"
5-18-2006 Back to one of our new favorite clubs. They treat us right and it always seems to turn into A Band Called Spike all request. "Wendy" and "Butt Smokin Hags" and being goofy is what they want and we giv-em what they want. I personally like the vibe here and seem to be relaxed and just let go. The band is also right on. Making good friends in the Lowell/Merrimac valley and U-Lowell. We will be back in July for a summer round.
4-1-2006 This was really strange, 3 other bands cancell to make a perfect situation for the band to dvd more than expected at the Boston show. Extremely low turn out on a Saturday night in the city but didn't stop the band as if they were playing Madison Square Garden. Special guest Matt Burns played drums on "Mind Fields" and "Borderline Human". Does anyone go out anymore?
3-30-2006 Rusty G's was great. Very loud and a good crowd including Flannel Godz and all. It looks like "Wendy" will be played there again due to crowd insistince again. Lowell Rocks message board rallied up the troops. First time out with Jim's new signature guitar.
2-16-2006 Well what can be said of the first show of the year for the band. New club, new attitude, and what turns out to be an all request VH1 type storytellers show. An epic 20 song A Band Called Spike O'Rama. The audience of old bandmates, friends, and straggelers began shouting out there favorites and the band pulled it off. Starting off the show with the cult classic "Wendy" and basically playing 95 minutes straight through to closing all the catalog. Only "Tree of Woe" and "Twilight Strut" were not played. "Dancin Girls" proved to be quite fun with excellent crowd reaction and cartwheels to boot.

"Subliminal Salt" 2005
11-27-05 The Good Shepard Curch-Oakdale Square, Dedham, Mass. Jim Alger solo/acoustic/electric/show/clinic. This was fun from the begining. Troop 4006 of Girl Scouts had to earn some merit badges for there banner. I was asked to play and show the girls what I do. I went acoustic and electric and brought a small folk guitar so some of the girls could maybe learn some chords. All the girls came up and had a shot at trying the gutar out and it proved to be funny and entertaining. I want to thank Kelly and Michelle for asking me to do this mini show/clinic. The girls plan to come into the studio at some time to see the inner working of Alger Mt. Limited in the future.
11-12-05 Goodtimes-Boston, Mass, Recording the show this night proved to be fun instead of hectic like those events can be. Great crowd was on hand as usual. Kurt filmed/recorded/camera shots most of the night to catch the glory. Multi-directional is the word for that. Lot of the "Subliminal Salt" disc was played with the highlight being "Cycle of the Paradox Part 1" has become a new ABcSpike staple. Some of G's old buddies from the old town showed up to make a wonderful mess. Looking to record another dvd/live album in 2006 with a bigger crew and mobile recording gear. All in all an epic time.
10-14-05 The Bombshelter-Manchester, NH was really fun this evening because some old friends of mine that I originally started playing music with when I was young showed up. Rick Clogston and Marvin LaFountaine and his son Jordan stopped by the gig making it a special. Manchester has always been a good stop for the band and tonight was a short set but kicked. Fans seemed to dig it by there applause and you know your doing ok when all the members of the staff at the club are roaring right next to the band. A good day on a very rainy night.
8-5-05 Goodtimes in Somerville/Boston is always a great venue for the band and tonight is no exception. On a very hot summer night the band rips into a very different show starting with normal show ender "Legend Killer", shocking the ABCSpike fans. Something that really has never been done. This short set was being recorded for the "Live in the Wasteland " series and did not dissappoint. Nuggets from past discs were thrown in such as "No Romeo" but most were from the new disc "Subliminal Salt" with "Satellite Farms" , "Danny Pearl", "Forfiet Lives", and ending with a heroic "Cycle of the Paradox Part 1" The new set proved to be a crowd pleaser as most of the crowd had been milling around in the smoking area and then came rushing in as the band appeared. Good rocking night.
7-16-05 Dedham Community Civic Center was host to the annual Dan Reen benefit which always proves to be hot and this year was no exception. Dedham Hot 9 was the kick off and they were great. Drivin by Joe Brogan they put on a great set. Up next was our old friend Donnie Noyes who just flew in from Louisville to do the show. Donnie played a total acoustic blues show to the delight of many. ABCSpike was up next with an eleven song blitz of songs from there new disc "Subliminal Salt" and choice covers from AC/DC and Neil Young. The show was dominated with extra guitar solos, triplet drum fills, and pounding bass anthems. The outdoor concert which hasn't seen this type of thing since Aerosmith played in the early seveties has now turned into an annual event. This years event for the Dan Reen Fund made over $2000 going to refurbush the gym and named in honor of Dan. Surely he is missed.
6-11-05 Caven House sure gets crazy. Lot of people just hanging out enjoying the summer vibe. 3 hour ABCSpike set with some choice "covers". Thanks to all that showed up. It was our first time there and we will be back.
5-19-05 What can be said when a couple of members of the Flannel Godz and 209A show up. Party comes to mind. The band is back out and kicking some serious ass. A regular set with no real surprizes. The train has left the building. Porcupine Tree the night before always helps.
5-12-05 Well next the band will be out on the road again and it sure looks like fun. A little rest and a break from most band activities has been welcome. Jim was off at Wanee, G was down in the Islands, Ray was checking out other bands out on tour and relaxing. The summer looks good with some live shows and recording . See you out on the American highway which is already in progress. Jim
3-24-05 Shooters-Dracut, Mass This was a new venue for the band and it sure was cool. There was a decent crowd and some all around great talent put together by Triana from Lowell Rocks and Mike the owner/sound guy. SAY- Something Against You and Five Central were on the bill and just a great bunch of guys. At the end of the set the other bands were screaming for more and that sure felt great. Total set was around 56 minutes which would be good for a TV show. We have been invited back and that is a positive thing. We were also interviewed by Jeffrey from NOMASONH or something like that magazine which will be a feature in May. It was very interesting and a classic time. Looking forward to going back. WTG.
3-21-05-Goodtimes-BostonThe first three months for A Band Called Spike have been quite hectic and for good reason. The new disc is out and more shows are on the way. The Goodtimes show in Boston the other night was short and for that reason "Legend Killer" was not played at the end. Hard to believe because "Legend" is always played last, "Danny Pearl" was the closer and then off. In the history of the band this is the first time it ever happened.
2-25-05-Bombshelter-Manchester,NH, Heading to Manchester, NH usually means it's 0 degrees and of course it was. Cold as hell. This set was ripped for 40 straight minutes of no stop ABCSpike with mostly new material. The showcase of the night by far was "Forfiet Lives" with an extended guitar solo and intense band interaction.
2-12-05-Collins Lounge-Peabody,MA, Jim did an interview with Doug Mascott from WNSH AM and his sidekick Ernie over at Endicott College and then procceded over to the ever popular Collins Lounge in downtown Peabody. This show was a 3 1/2 hour spectrum of every ABCSpike tune ever done. Some covers were thrown in for some flavor. A true treat for the hardcore fans that came. Some classics that were played included "Wendy" "Borderline Human" and "Slick Slicker" which haven't been in the sets for awhile.
2-5-05 Reflections-Chelmsford, MA- The first night of the new year for the band. The first gig was cancelled from January 22 because of a blizzard up here in the Northeast. Also this gig was the Lowell Rocks Battle of the Bands showcase. This gig was a straight up 35 minute set with really no surprizes. New songs from the new cd and some old nuggents. No covers because it was an all original show which the band likes. ABCSpike came in third out of four bands. A limited crowd had come to see the band and it really had a lot to do with the cancellation of the earlier gig. Shit happens. One note can be said about these "Battles" if you get a few people in to see your band you will win, it has really nothing to do with talent. One judge was quoted as saying "They didn't get anybody up to dance" in which one ABCSpike fan replied "Dance , you just don't get it, hey and why don't you play that same Bob Seger song again you Wob" The comment was from the fact that the same Bob Seger songs between bands was played over and over. Another day on the road!

Past Gigs and Posters

Posters Pasts

A Band Called Spike and the Mighty Bad Habits Nov. 8, 2007 at DTS Lowell

Our Place Pub Gardner, Mass August 24, 2007

Live @ Rusty G's in Lowell March 29, 2007

November 16, 2006 Rusty G's Lowell

November 16, 2006 Rusty G's Lowell

Alger-Larson Live In Concert Nov.4, 2006

Reflections-Chelmsford, Mass September 23, 2006

Rusty G's Lowell September 21, 2006

Goodtimes-Boston July 29, 2006

Rusty G's-Lowell, Mass July 13, 2006

Midway Cafe-Boston, Mass. May 30, 2006

Rusty G's-Lowell, Mass May 18, 2006

The April Fools Day show that will be filmed and recorded for a future dvd/cd package.

Rusty G's Lowell March 30, 2006

A New club in Lowell just opened earlier in the month and on the first original rock night A Band Called Spike and Donnie Noyes Project blazed through 2 excellent sets of power rock. It was an honor to be the first original bands to make history at the venue.

Killer set to end of the 2006 "Subliminal Salt" Tour of 2005

The Battle of the Band Poster

Shooters is now gone but those shows at the club will always be remembered as fun and loud. Always a great crowd too.

What can be said about the Caven House in Hyde Park. The crowd of mostly over 55's absolutely hated the band, in which, the band turned on them. The compliment was that one patron declared it was the " worst band he had ever seen" in which we thanked him.

Another Shooters playbill/poster. Always did well here. Great sound and bartenders also.